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This country is insanely beautiful,” Dinali says. “I’ve travelled all over the world, but the diversity here still blows me away. Mountains, jungles, beaches, historical ruins—on one tiny island.
Dinali never thought she’d move back. Two decades abroad had taken her from San Francisco to Mexico City building a life of adventure and professional success. Yet, during frequent holiday trips home, she began to feel a pull she couldn’t ignore. One trip changed everything: she met someone she deeply connected with. Soon, she cancelled her flight back. Two years later, she hasn’t looked back.
Adjusting to a New Pace
The transition wasn’t always idyllic. Everyday differences caught her off guard. Queues felt chaotic, the pace glacial compared to Silicon Valley’s efficiency. But instead of resisting, she began to question the trade-offs.
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Professionally, too, it was a reality check. With her experience rooted in the U.S., she had to navigate male-dominated networks and old boys’ clubs. Progress felt slower, but she also discovered pockets of change—places that valued her global perspective and opened doors for meaningful collaborations.
Surprisingly, the hardest part wasn’t work, but friendships. Building community felt harder than expected, even for someone who had mastered starting over in new cities. Leaving Sri Lanka young meant she didn’t have the lifelong bonds many peers still relied on. “Sri Lankans have friend groups that go back forever. I often felt I couldn’t relate.”
Her solution was to create the spaces she longed for. Fitness became a gateway through CrossFit, HIIT, and padel. Dance connected her to music and movement. She hosted potluck dinners through a cooking club, and game nights that grew into traditions. Step by step, she built a circle of belonging.
Healing Old Wounds & Bringing Global Lessons Home
The deeper surprise was emotional. “I carry a lot of history with this country,” she reflects. Having lived through the war, returning unearthed trauma she didn’t know she carried. Healing meant facing those memories and rebuilding her relationship with the land that shaped her. “It’s not always easy, but it’s been beautiful.”
Asked what she carried back, she said: “Diversity. Living in places like Norway, San Francisco, and Mexico City showed me how powerful different perspectives can be. Back in Sri Lanka, I’ve become intentional about creating spaces where all voices are heard, across gender, background, and experience
Today, Dinali’s journey embodies what many returnees discover: coming home isn’t simple, but it can be profoundly transformative. From tech founder to conscious returnee, she’s found that sometimes the biggest risk is also the greatest gift.
This story is part of WorkInSriLanka's series highlighting the experiences of professionals who have returned to Sri Lanka after living abroad. If you're considering making the move back home, connect with our volunteer-driven non-profit organization for networking opportunities, mentoring, and assistance with your transition.